Season 3 - 1

6 months later

The sound of the camera shutter fills the place as I took one more photo of the students walking by the open campus. I smiled to myself as I felt the satisfaction of seeing the photos that I took.

It's been months since I enrolled in this university, together with Hana who took up Culinary Arts, and Lea and Bryan who both took up Political Science as a preparatory for Law School. Honestly, we haven't been meeting much due to our schedules overlapping and I admit that I miss being around them. I miss the noise whenever they are around.

Adapting to college has never been easy for me. I got a major culture shock mostly on adjusting to the surroundings and to the people. College students are really... Carefree and busy. I can't believe I've been studying for straight weeks now, considering how lazy I am back in high school.

If only I could be a high school student again.

"Still busy?"

I got interrupted in my tracks upon hearing those words. I looked up and see Meraki, one of my block mates grinning at me. I rolled my eyes at her and continued walking. She's probably up to no good again.

"Hey, don't be like that! At least hear me out!"

"Let me guess, you got dumped again?"

She laughed and encircled her hand on my waist.

"Yeah, so now, I'm brokenhearted."

I continued to ignore her as we enter the empty photography lab. I heard her locking the door.

"C'mon now, don't ignore me."

"I'm busy, Mera. Let's do this some other time."

"Can't it be now?"

I finally looked at her. She's staring at me, her eyes filled with lust. She's always like this. Only comes to see me when she gets dumped or she gets horny. Not that I mind though. It's not like I have feelings for her or something. We made it clear from the start that what we're having right now is purely a physical relationship.

I don't think I'll ever fall in love again.

"Don't say no, Hmmm?" She walks towards me again and grabs my waist. I instinctively pull away my face when she tried to kiss me.

"We're at school."

"It's just a kiss."

"Still." I pushed her away. "Later, okay?" I said before opening the door to the dark room. I can still hear her whining I just shake my head in return.

- - -

"Siren!"

Hana's loud voice echoes the already noisy cafeteria. She runs towards me to greet me with a hug.

"I haven't seen you for so long! I missed you!" Before I could answer, she grabs my wrist and drags me to sit at the nearby empty chairs. Now that I see it, she's holding a big paper bag which I assume is the food they're making in class.

"You're alone?" I asked when I finally got the chance to speak. She nodded while arranging the Tupperware at the table.

"Bryan and Lea are preparing for a... Recital something? I actually haven't talked to him in a few days now."

"And you're okay with it?"

She nodded and looked at me in confusion. "Why wouldn't I be? It's about academics, of course, he has to prioritize it. As long as he doesn't forget about me, then I'm fine with it."

I stared at her. Hana really matured ever since she met Bryan. I've only hang-out with him a few times but I can tell he's a serious and loyal person... That I envy Hana a little for meeting Bryan.

Makes me wonder, If I ever say yes to her, would we be the same?

No. What happened to forget about her Siren?

"Are you okay, Siren? Your face is red."

"H-ha? I'm fine. It's just hot in here."

"Really?" I nodded, hoping she won't pry about it anymore. "Anyway, we made cakes today! And I want you to try it!" With that, she puts a pure white cake on the table. "I haven't decorated it yet, but I wanted you to taste it and see if I could improve something."

I took a bite and it was good. It's not that sweet, perfect for a person who is not really into sweets.

"How is it?"

"It's good. Not that sweet. I think I can eat it all."

Hana's face brightens up as she hears my answer. "I made it that way so Bryan could eat it. He's never really a fan of sweets so I wanted to make something that both of us could enjoy."

"That's... good."

All of a sudden, Hana stops talking and just stares at me. Most particularly at my neck.

"Why?"

Hana sighed, her face gloomy. "You still haven't stopped it, Siren?"

"Stop what?"

"I told you, I don't like Meraki! Why are you still going out with her? She's up to no good, I'm telling you."

I grinned at her answer. Ever since she met Meraki, she's been vocal about telling me how she doesn't like her. And I know Lea's the same too.

"We're not going out."

"Then... Then... W-why are you sleeping with her?!"

"I just need a release from all the stress at this college. Aren't you stressed? At least you have Bryan with you." I don't know why but I felt a hint of bitterness at my last word.

"Still. How can you sleep with someone you're not going out with..."

"It's fine. We're both okay with it. Don't worry."

"Siren..."

I looked at my wristwatch. "I have class in 30 minutes, I'll see you again. Thanks for the cake!" Before she could stop me, I hurriedly left her at the cafeteria.

I really don't have a class, I actually don't have a class at all today but I wanted to escape from her. I know she won't stop convincing me to stop what I am doing with Meraki. And honestly, I don't have plans on stopping anytime soon.

Ah, even though I said that I would change in college... I felt I became worse, with Meraki coming into the picture. I'm hopeless, I know.

Siren, when will you grow up?